The Deluge In Uttarakhand Poem by Somanathan Iyer

In hundreds and thousands
Thronged there visitors and pilgrims
Little they thought their life is doomed

Uttarakhand the paradise on earth
With serene mountains and sacred temples
Beautiful surroundings and breathtaking scenery
Attracted tourists and pilgrims all alike

Year after year increased influx of visitors and devotees
Pilgrimage and pleasant trips pilfered the nature
Tunnels dug in mountains houses allowed on edges of rivers
Sights were set clearly on income from tourism

All were fine till the skies opened up
Not in drops but in streams poured the rains
Nature betrayed, rivers strayed into new paths
Mountains caved in houses swept away
Mighty rocks moved down slush and sand settled on
Resulting in causalities beyond any imagination

Three to four days roared there the hunger and anger
Dazed and demoralized victims waited for help
Water and water everywhere but no drinking water
Aghast and taken aback authorities finally acted upon
Little they thought of Nature’s fury in such magnitude
Pressed into service the ever dependable Indian army

Against all the odds braving all the risks
Plunged into action our disciplined soldiers
A sigh of relief both for authorities and affected
Trapped are in hostile and inaccessible lands
Cut off roads curtailing the movements

Laudable are the services the army is rendering
The whole country is saluting their commitment
Hundreds are rescued bringing back some smiles
Fate of thousands hang in suspense till the truth unfolded